Early Years Foundation Stage

At Starfish, we are aware that the children will only thrive in a happy, safe, secure and stimulating environment. We pride ourselves on giving the children this exact experience. By following the Eary Years Foundation Stage we are encouraging the children to be independant learners: we allow the children time, space and support to enable them to be creative and explore and challenge their own thinking and abilities.

PRIME AREAS:the fundamental basis of every child’s learning.

Personal, social and emotional development

Communication and language

Physical development

SPECIFIC AREAS:

Literacy

Mathematics

Understanding the world

Expressive arts and design

“Children are born ready, able and eager to learn. They actively reach out to interact with other people, and i the world around them. Development is not an automatic process, however. It dependson each unique child having opportunities to interact in positive relationships and enabling environments. The four themes of the EYFS underpin all the guidance:” – Development Matters in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

Unique Child

“Every child is a unique child, who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured.”

Examples of how we achieve this at Starfish:

Allowing the children to be masters of their own challenges and achievements.

Children are listened to and respected by the adults around them to encourage confidence in expressing thoughts, feelings and opinions.

Children are given quality time to genuinely interact with the adults.

Adults will demonstrate positive behaviour. They will praise the good and discourage negative.

Children will be given clear, reasonable rules and boundaries

We offer the children stimulating learning opportunities and experiences

Positive Relationships

“Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships.”

Examples of how we achieve this at Starfish:

By demonstrating this through parent partnership

The children are given time to interact with the adults, who will listen, offer guidance and support challenges.

By overseeing the positive interaction the practitioners have with each other

By being aware of each child’s individual interests, needs and developmental stage, we are able to create confident and independent learners.

Enabling Environments

“Children learn and develop well in enabling environments, in which their experiences respond to their individual needs and there is a strong partnership between practitioners and parents and/or carers.”

Examples of how we achieve this at Starfish:

Children are observed regularly in order to plan for their future experiences and devlelopments.

Children have outside/inside free play throughout the day.

Children are given the freedom of choice where possible to learn and develop their own interests.

Adult support is available as the children attempt to take their own risks and challenges.

We work closely with all parents and/or carers by:

Encouraging feedback on their child’s Termly Review

Offering out their child’s Learning Journey to enjoy and add to at home

Conducting annual Parents Evenings

Working with an ‘open door policy’

Children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates.

“The framework covers the education and care of all children in early years provision, including children with special educational needs and disabilities.”

Examples of how we achieve this at Starfish:

We have a Starfish SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator), Hattie, who is available to support a child’s additional learning requirements.

We have a strong network of Early Years Professionals that support us in meeting our children’s needs.